Birmingham Surgeon Ian Paterson could cost the NHS millions of pounds in compensation if he is found guilty of carrying out unregulated breast cancer operations

The NHS could face a compensation bill of millions of pounds after a Birmingham surgeon was accused of botching breast cancer operations, a medical expert has warned.

Police have launched a criminal investigation into Ian Paterson amid allegations he carried unnecessary surgery at hospitals across the West Midlands.

Mr Paterson, who had worked at Solihull, Good Hope and two private hospitals, is currently suspended by health watchdog the General Medical Council (GMC).

He has been linked to up to 700 cases of unregulated Cleavage Sparing Mastectomies, which involved leaving some breast tissue behind after operation for cosmetic reasons.

The Birmingham Mail also revealed last month how another 450 women claim to have had unnecessary surgeon while under the care of Mr Paterson.

Timothy James, senior lecturer at Birmingham City University’s School of Law, said if the allegations prove correct then the NHS could be facing a massive compensation bill.

“If you put that many complainants together, particularly if they have suffered a recurrence of cancer, you are looking a very big bill for the NHS,’’ he said.

“Potentially, this could amount to something very, very significant. Whether it will be the biggest case we will have to see, but it could be up there.

“Financially speaking, it is very hard to put a figure on hundreds of claims, but we could be talking millions.”

Meanwhile, Caroline Spelman, MP for Meriden, said she has contacted Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt after being contacted by former patients of Mr Paterson.

She said: “I have constituents treated by the suspended surgeon whose cases I have taken up with the local NHS trust and who have received a review of all their treatment and care.

‘‘But I would encourage other women who may have been affected to come forward and ensure they receive help and advice.

“I have challenged the Trust as to why the surgeons’ practice was not better controlled between 1998 and 2007 and why it took until 2011 to exclude the surgeon and I have written to the Secretary of State for Health.

‘‘I am told no answer will be given while the independent investigation is underway.’’

Nisha Sharma, from legal firm Slater and Gordon, is representing 30 women who were former patients of Mr Paterson.

She said: “There have been massive implications to this. “I have one client who suffers from such bad anxiety that every aspect of her daily life has been affected.”

Mr Paterson, who lives in a £1 million home in Edgbaston, is being represented by the Medical Defence Union.

He previously said in a statement: “I am co-operating fully with the GMC investigation and cannot comment of any of the issues raised because of my duty of patient confidentially and the ongoing investigation.”